OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a location for future roleplay
- Image Credit: Image Credit
- Canon: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: N/A
- Structure Name: Temple of Greater Contemplation
- Classification: Jedi Temple
- Location: Eliad
- Affiliation: Abandoned, One Sith future
- Accessibility: The Temple of Greater Contemplation is located deep inside a ravine on the world of Eliad, flanked by cliffs on either side. There is no space large enough for aircraft to land in the ravine itself, but approach by foot or vehicle up the ravine path is a simple journey.
- Description:
- The Temple of Greater Contemplation is located in a desert on the planet of Eliad. Set in a ravine, the Temple serves as an oasis for the fauna of the world, with naturally occurring waterfalls flowing across the Temple itself and filling a large lake. This lake is spanned by a rock carved bridge leading to the first level of the Temple, a large patio with support pillars running along the front of it. The two levels above are much the same in visual appearance, with the third level being dominated by the waterfall at its center. Two larger waterfalls flank the exterior of the Temple on either side, flowing in and keeping the lake constantly filled.
- The interior of the Temple is dominated by smoothly carved stone corridors, hewn from the desert rock the Temple is located in. Statues of past Jedi Masters are located throughout the Temple corridors, each one inscribed with a piece of knowledge this particular master held in value. At regular intervals along the corridors on the first level are classrooms, large circular chambers large enough to hold dozens of students at any given time. At the far end of the first floor is the sparring center, a half kilometer long chamber with numerous semi-circle indentions in the ground serving as battle rings. A massive carving of the Jedi Orders crest dominates the far wall of the chamber, standing nearly thirty meters in height. The first floor also houses the various living quarters for students at the Temple, located deep underneath the Temple.
- The second floor of the Temple is filled with various classrooms dedicated to Force abilities, and greater understanding of the Force itself. These classrooms have open sections to them, each with a view of the valley and lake that surround the Temple. Mixed among the classrooms are small meditation chambers and shrines, were Jedi students of old were able to go and meditate within. At the far end of the second floor stood the Archive, a library of knowledge for the Jedi on Eliad. The Archive is no great treasure trove of knowledge, and most contemporary Jedi Temples have far larger repositories of knowledge, but the Archive for the Temple of Greater Contemplation has within it tomes of a darker nature. On Eliad, the Jedi looked into the ancient histories of the Sith, in hopes of one day finding a way to defeat them.
- The uppermost floor of the Temple is dominated by a Jedi Council chamber, where the ancient masters of Eliad convened and discussed matters of importance. The chamber is made up of a glass floor, which provides those within of the roaring waterfall that runs underneath it. Beyond this chamber, and through an opening carved into the rock the waterfall runs across, are the private quarters of those masters who chose to reside on Eliad.
- Sparring Hall: The Sparring Hall is the largest chamber within the Temple of Greater Contemplation, able to hold scores of students training against one another at any given time. The sound of the waterfall overhead can be heard as a constant roar, and is intended to bring the occupants of the room more in tune with nature. The crest of the Jedi Order dominates the far wall of the Sparring Hall, with a small pool of water surrounding its base. Four statues are located around the chamber, each at one corner of the Sparring Hall, and offering wisdom for those who enter.
- Archives: The Archives are dominated by a water spout and container at its center, constantly showering the area immediately around it in a light mist. Along the walls of the Archives are several data terminals, containing the Archives digital knowledge, while the second and third floors of the Archive are dominated by bookshelves containing physical knowledge. Three small chambers diverge from the main Archives chamber, each with centers dedicated to meditation and more archaic knowledge. Three Jedi Masters statues are located in the Archive, one on each floor.
- Council Chambers: Located at the uppermost location of the Temple, the Council Chambers served as the seat of governance for the Temple of Greater Contemplation. The main waterfall of the Temple runs just beyond the Chamber itself, with an opening carved to allow entrance back into the inner workings of the Temple. The floor of the Council Chamber is glass, with a Jedi Order crest in its center, giving a view of the water flowing underneath before plummeting off the end.
SECURITY-None
The Temple of Greater Contemplation has stood abandoned for nearly three centuries, when the last of the Jedi in the Temple fled to the Core regions of the galaxy. Now, their are nothing but stone sentinels within the halls of the Temple, standing permanent and silent vigil over the Greater Temple.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Temple of Greater Contemplation was a minor outpost for the Jedi Order, one of their first expeditions sent out into the wider galaxy following the worst phases of the Gulag Plague. Originally, the Temple was built to serve as a simple location for connection, an attempt by the Jedi to rebuild communication and contact within the southern Outer Rim. Small ships and healers were sent to a number of worlds around Eliad, and in time a small collection of worlds had been brought together. As time progressed, the original Jedi at the Temple began to take on apprentices from the various worlds they traveled to, and in time the small outpost developed into a fledgling Jedi Temple. At its height, the Temple of Greater Contemplation held nearly two hundred Jedi within its halls.
Then, the Temple was attacked. Pirates organized under a self proclaimed Outlaw King began raiding the worlds the Temple of Greater Contemplation had just begun to rebuild and connect. Outnumbered by the hordes of pirates the Outlaw King had, the Jedi nonetheless tried to protect the worlds they had hold over. The running skirmish eventually led the Outlaw King to besiege and attack the Temple itself, and at great cost, the Jedi within managed to hold off and kill the Outlaw King. His pirates scattered, though they were not truly defeated. Only weeks after the final battle the Jedi began to hear reports of new pirate bands beginning to form from the remnants.
After several heated discussions, the Jedi Council on the world decided that they had to depart the world. Their continued presence would only bring further conflict to the worlds under their charge, and they left with their few remaining members and went back to the Core worlds. The Temple of Greater Contemplation was sealed, and its location hidden from the wider galaxy, with hopes that it would someday be rediscovered by the Jedi.